We have had many requests for an updated
Vice Regal Report Card, so as the year comes to an end here it is. Several of
the Queen’s representatives across Canada have changed over the past 24 months; a
few key offenders have gone on to retirement and been replaced. One notable
improvement has come in Alberta where the Lieutenant Governor has started
wearing the Lieutenant Governor’s Uniform (Windsor Uniform) that allows him to
properly wear three neck decorations simultaneously. Unfortunately Colonel
Ethell continues to occasionally wear his Order of Canada and Alberta Order of
Excellence simultaneously. Earlier this year he was witnessed in Ottawa wearing
his OC and AOE while being presented with the Pearson Peace Medal. Nevertheless
he has improved.
The frequently offending Gordon Barnhard,
formerly Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan – who routinely wore his Knight of the Order of St.
John as a breast decoration with his medal bar – has been replaced by the
impeccable Vaugh Solomon Scolfield, who has thus far proven flawless in her
deportment.
The worst and most frequent offender, Stephen Point,
former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia went out with a bang, choosing
to wear a kilt with the Lieutenant Governor’s Uniform, something that had never
happened before – it looked ridiculous. His term as Lieutenant Governor was
replete with medal wearing faux pas the likes of which we will hopefully never
see again. His successor Judith Guichon has done an excellent job of wearing
her orders and medals.
The new Lieutenant Governors; Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador, have been doing a commendable job of following the medal wearing rules.
The Governor General has done as reasonable
job of wearing his insignia; nevertheless there continue to be errors. At the installation of Pope Francis His Excellency was present wearing just his
Companion of the Order of Canada, with no other medals. Some Aide de Camp
should remind His Excellency that honours are not jewelry, you do not mix and
match – you wear the insignia that is appropriate for the event and order of
dress that you are wearing; in this case His Excellency should have also worn
his full size medal bar.
Thanks goes out to a number of regular correspondents from across Canada who promptly forward comments and emails about which Lieutenant Governors are following the rules and those who are violating them.
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